Ironing-table



(No Model.)

W. P. PARMELEE. IRONING TABLE.

No. 479,301. Patented July 19, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILBUR F. PARMELEE, OF MIDDLETOWVN, CONNECTICUT.

lRONlNG-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,301, dated July 19, 1892.

Application filed August 8,189].

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILBUR F. PARMELEE,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Middletown,in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut,have invented new and useful Improvements in Ironing-Tables, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to that type of foldlng ironing-tables wherein pairs of crossed pivoted legs are employed and one pair is pivotally attached to a cross-bar having sliding engagement With a ratchet-bar and provided with a catch to engage the ratchet-teeth for holding the table-top at different heights.

The objects of my invention are to improve the prior construction of folding ironing-tables; to provide a rigid ratchet-bar which isimmovably fixed throughout its length to the under side of the table-top, while the crossbar to which one pair of legs is pivoted has an interlocking sliding engagement with the ratchet-bar, and, finally, to provide a sliding cross-bar with a novel, simple, and efficient spring-catch for engaging the rigid ratchetbar to hold the table-top at different heights;

To accomplish all these objects my invention involves the features of construction and the combination or arrangement of devices hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective View showing the table, the top being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View showing the table-top attached in proper position; and Fig. Sis atransverse sectional View taken on the line w 00, Fig. 2.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now describe the same in detail, referring to the drawings, wherein The numeral 1 indicates the table-top or ironing-board,having a pair of cleats 2 firmly secured to its under side in proximity to the endsthereof. To the cleats are attached the extremities of the rigid ratchet-bar 3, extending longitudinally along the median line of the table-top or ironing-board and formed circular in cross-section. The ratchetteeth 4 of this bar are formed in the lowermost side thereof, and in interlocking sliding engagement with the cylindrical ratchet-bar is ar- 'eerial No. 402,118. (No model.)

ranged a cross-bar 5, having centrally between its extremities an approximately circular orifice 6, through which the ratchet-bar extends in such manneras to securely retain the cross-bar in engagement with the ratchetbar, while permitting the cross-bar to slide longitudinally along the ratchet-bar.

The supporting-legs of the table-top are of the form known as crossing pivoted legs, and they are composed of two leg-frames 7 and 8, one of which is pivoted at the upper extremity to the ends of one of the cleats 2, through the medium of pivot-pins 9, while the, other leg-frame is pivoted at its upper extremities to the ends of the cross-bar through the medium of pivot-pins 10. By this construction, if the leg-frame 7 be folded between the side rails or bars of the leg-frame 8, so that the sliding cross-bar is in juxtaposition to the cleat to which the leg-frame 8 is pivoted, both leg-frames can be folded down upon and parallel with the ironing-board for the purpose of placing the structure into a compact form, and thus enabling it to be conveniently handled or laid away until required for use.

If the leg-frames are in position to support the table-top, as in Fig. 2, the cross-bar 5 can be caused to slide along the length of the ratchet-bar, and thereby enable the table-top to be raised or lowered, according to the direction in which the cross-bar is moved. By this means the height of the table can be varied to suit the conditions required, and after the proper adjustment has been attained the parts are rigidly locked in position through the medium of a spring-catch carried by the sliding cross-bar. This spring-catch is composed of a wire arm 12, having at one ex-. tremity a laterally-projecting finger-piece 13 and at the opposite extremity a series of spirals or coils 14, mounted on a stud or pin 15, carried by the cross-bar. The resiliency of the spirals or coils tends to throw the wire arm upwardly into engagement With the ratchet-teeth of the rigid ratchet-bar; but the Wire arm is readily released from the latter by pressing downward upon the finger-piece 13. It will be observed that the spring-arm 12 directly engages the ratchet-teeth of the ratchet-bar, and consequently the spring-arm will automatically ride past the teeth when the legs are moved in the direction required to elevate the table-top.

In my improved construction the ratchetbar is rigid from end to end and is immovably fixed at the under side of the table-top, while the movable cross-bar 5 of the leg-frame 7 is constantly held in engagement with the ratchet-bar, but is capable of slidingv longitudinally thereupon for the purpose of vary' ing the height of the table. By this means I provide a strong, durable, etficient, and satisfactory structure, which is particularly adapted for ironing purposes; but obviously the table could be used for any purpose desired.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is-- 1. The combination, with a table-top, of a rigid ratchet-bar immovably attached to the under side of the table-top, the pivoted legframes, one of which is pivoted to a cross-bar in interlocked sliding engagement with the immovable ratchet-bar, and a spring-arm attached to the sliding cross-bar and directly engaging the ratchet-teeth of the ratchet-bar, substantially as described.

2. A folding table consisting of a table-top having cleats secured to its under side, a rigid ratchet-bar having its extremities immovably fixed to the cleats, a cross-bar inino tel-locked sliding engagement with the ratchet-bar and provided with a spring-arm directly engaging the ratchet-teeth of the ratchet-bar, and pivoted leg-frames pivoted, re-

spectively, to one of the cleats and to the slid- 35 ing cross-bar, substantially as described.

3. A folding table consisting of a table-top having cleats secured to its under side, a rigid cylindrical ratchet-bar immovably fixed to the cleats, a cross-bar having an approxi- 4o nlatel y circular orifice between its extremities and in interlocked sliding engagement with the cylindrical ratchet-bar, a wire arm directly engaging the ratchet-teeth of the ratchet-bar,

having at one extremity a finger-piece and 5 WVILBUR F. PARMELEE. [L. 3.]

\Vitnesses:

JEREMIAH J. DEMPSEY, SAMUEL P. CALEB. 

